01-24-2004, 11:00 PM
2004 Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey Complete
This year's mid-winter bald eagle survey along the Missouri River in central North Dakota revealed 50 birds, 11 more than last year and the highest recorded in the last 10 years, according to Patrick Isakson, nongame biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
"We counted 37 adults and 13 immature bald eagles," Isakson said of the Jan. 12 survey. "Canada geese and eagles are still abundant on the river due to the availability of open water. Eagles were found along the entire stretch of river from just north of the Bismarck-Mandan area to Garrison Dam."
The number of bald eagles wintering in the state depends on the amount of open water and availability of prey, Isakson noted. Eagles prefer to perch in large cottonwood trees along the river and feed on fish and waterfowl.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department participates in a nationwide survey each January to determine the number of bald eagles in each state. The survey is flown at a low altitude from Bismarck to the Garrison Dam, with an observer counting both adult and immature bald eagles.
Adults have a white head and tail and a dark brown body. Immature bald eagles are brown with irregular white plumage.
Bald eagles are unique to North America. Once an endangered species, bald eagles were reclassified as threatened in 1995 because of successful recovery efforts. "Most of the bald eagles were observed close to the Garrison Dam," Isakson said. "Annually, that area seems to be the best location to view eagles. In fact, we even observed two golden eagles in that vicinity."
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This year's mid-winter bald eagle survey along the Missouri River in central North Dakota revealed 50 birds, 11 more than last year and the highest recorded in the last 10 years, according to Patrick Isakson, nongame biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
"We counted 37 adults and 13 immature bald eagles," Isakson said of the Jan. 12 survey. "Canada geese and eagles are still abundant on the river due to the availability of open water. Eagles were found along the entire stretch of river from just north of the Bismarck-Mandan area to Garrison Dam."
The number of bald eagles wintering in the state depends on the amount of open water and availability of prey, Isakson noted. Eagles prefer to perch in large cottonwood trees along the river and feed on fish and waterfowl.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department participates in a nationwide survey each January to determine the number of bald eagles in each state. The survey is flown at a low altitude from Bismarck to the Garrison Dam, with an observer counting both adult and immature bald eagles.
Adults have a white head and tail and a dark brown body. Immature bald eagles are brown with irregular white plumage.
Bald eagles are unique to North America. Once an endangered species, bald eagles were reclassified as threatened in 1995 because of successful recovery efforts. "Most of the bald eagles were observed close to the Garrison Dam," Isakson said. "Annually, that area seems to be the best location to view eagles. In fact, we even observed two golden eagles in that vicinity."
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